Imagining New Care: Lifetime Contexts of Interpersonal Violence and Healing for Black Women

Interpersonal violence (i.e. sexual assault, or physical abuse within the context of an intimate relationship) is contextualized by and itself an experience of marginalization. Despite the need for intersectional analysis and responses to interpersonal violence, sexual assault and intimate partner violence remain “women’s issues” whose formal response networks are through violent systems that further exacerbate and enact harm toward Black survivors. This research study sought to qualitatively understand how lifetime experiences contextualize Black women’s healing and experiences of interpersonal violence, in addition to needed post-assault services. Qualitative analysis of interviews and lifetime narrative timelines using grounded theory found that lifetime experiences of trauma and misogynoir were directly related to participants experiences of interpersonal violence, and that love, community, and connection was at the core of Black survivors healing experiences. Findings inform responses to interpersonal violence that could support necessary, lacking post-assault services for Black survivors.